Waymart Building Center Advances to Babe Ruth Tournament Semis

Kevin Edwards

Thursday

Jun 25, 2009 at 12:01 AMJun 25, 2009 at 11:41 PM

It was just about one year ago that Randy Beam watched his team suffer a heartbreaking loss in the Moosic Mountain Babe Ruth championship game. Now, as another summer rolls on, Waymart Building Center appears headed for a shot at redemption...

Last summer, Randy Beam steered his team all the way to the Moosic Mountain Babe Ruth championship game...only to come up just a bit short against perennial powerhouse Minooka Subaru.

This year, before his players even stepped onto the field for their first practice, Coach Beam told them what he expected.

“Right from the very start, my goal has been getting back to the championship game and winning this time,” Randy told TWI Sports. “I?have very high expectations for this team; but, I?never thought we’d still be undefeated at this point. That’s a pleasant surprise.”

Waymart Building Center is indeed still unbeaten.

The local lads added another victory to their gaudy resume Tuesday night, rolling to an 11-1 decision over the Diablos. This win was the 18th of the season for Waymart. The lone blemish on an otherwise perfect record is an early season deadlock with Forest City.

That one was called due to darkness.

The local lads now go on an extended hiatus while Wayne County teams compete in the annual district tournaments.

Waymart returns to action Friday, July 10th, for its Moosic Mountain semifinal battle with Forest City. That contest is set for a 6:00 p.m. starting time at the Homer Dome.

Along the Way
While getting back to the title tilt has always been the ultimate goal, Waymart first had to take care of business in the regular season.

Coach Beam’s boys opened the ‘09 campaign with four consecutive wins before facing their first real test, a re-match with Minooka Subaru.

Waymart exorcised its year-old demons in this one, pounding out a convincing 7-0 win over the defending league champs.

These two teams met again three weeks later and battled right down to the wire before Waymart copped a 4-1 decision.

“We’ve been getting better as a team all season long,” Coach Beam said. “I think the best thing about this group of kids is that they execute the fundamentals of baseball. They pay attention to all the little things you have to do to win.”

Waymart has dominated its Moosic Mountain competition this season. The local lads have posted seven shutouts in their quest for a league crown. In ad-dition, Waymart has outscored the opposition by a staggering margin of 161-31.

Coach Beam’s ballclub was genuinely challenged only twice this year. Waymart survived a 6-5 game with the Diablos, then rallied to hang an 8-7 loss on the Black Hawks.

Leading the Charge
Derek & Jacob Gillis are at the forefront of Waymart’s offensive attack this season.

Derek plays shortstop and hits lead-off. He is the team’s table setter atop the batting order and the top defensive player.

On Tuesday, Derek reached base three times in four at-bats. He scored three runs and collected two RBIs. Derek also made a pair of superb plays in the field...each of which saved at least one run and killed off a potential Diablos’ uprising.

“Derek is a very good fielder and also a good pitcher,” Coach Beam said. “He has good range and a strong arm. Derek is definitely one of the team leaders out on the field.”

Jacob bats in the 2-hole and plays second base. He is one of Waymart’s power hitters and RBI generators.

Jake turned in a perfect 4-for-4 day at the dish against the Diablos. He scored four runs and drove in five thanks to a pair of inside-the-park homers.

“Jacob is our offensive leader, no doubt about it,” Coach Beam said. “He’s a power hitter, but he’s very good with the bat. If we need Jacob to bunt or move a runner over, he can do it.”

Tyler Atcavage is yet another player who helps make the Waymart offense go.
A centerfielder who hits fifth, Atcavage reached base safely in each of his four plate appearances.

Tyler scored three runs and drove in two more in Tues-day’s triumph.

“Tyler is a young kid who just came up from the minors this year,” said Coach Beam. “You can always count on Tyler to put the bat on the ball and make things happen.”

Jeremy Yzeik also made his presence felt on this day. Waymart’s big first baseman capped a solid day at the dish by blasting a 3-run homer.

Joey Clauss chipped in with two hits and two runs scored. Ben Osborn rounded out the Waymart totals with a run in the fifth inning.

Pitching &?Defense
Josh Miller received the nod for Waymart and earned the decision.

Miller worked five frames before handing the ball off to Gillis in relief. He allowed just two hits and fanned seven along the way. Josh struck out the side in the top of the fourth, drawing rave reviews from his skipper.

Nick Frolick went to the hill as the Diablos’ starter and was eventually saddled with the loss.
Frolick worked four frames, then headed off to the showers in favor of Tyler Pittsman. Zach Gething also toed the rubber for the Diablos.

Joe Sapienza turned in the Play of the Day defensively.

The Diablos’ centerfielder snuffed out a Waymart rally in the second. Sapienza charged toward the infield and made a spectacular sliding catch.